OK. Enough questions about the new picture! It's really about the shirt – a very special shirt.

Almost every year I get an ISST XC Championship shirt. It started over fifteen years ago when I traded shirts with a friend that coached for the American School in London. I got a shirt with International flavor. He got a North Attleboro shirt with our “saying of the year.” Most years we follow the tradition.

Well, Bill doesn't coach anymore but it is his retirement year. Currently he works for the American School in Luxembourg. He was attending what might be his last ISST Championship, and also sending off his friend who is retiring as meet director. The shirt holds a quote from ‘Once a Runner'. Author John Parker Jr. was the speaker the night before the championship. I feel privileged that Bill remembered to get a shirt for me.

The quote on the back says, “He ran . . . Not only to be better than his fellows, but better than himself.” That's a great quote. Combined with my favorite quote from “The Purple Runner” I think it sums up distance running. Paul Christman's quote is, “It's just that there are no alternatives in life when it comes to competition. The best are the best because of inborn talent, but moreso because of a great deal of long, hard work on arduous paths, paths which most of us – even if we had the talent – are unwilling to follow.”

Both quotes place focus where it should be – on the runner. Success comes from within. It isn't easy to find the best of yourself. That is whom you truly are competing against. Most people never find the limits of their physical ability, because they are unwilling to make the investment (of both time and mental commitment). That isn't a criticism, just a truth.

They say that the universe is continually expanding. But, it seems the more time I spend coaching, the smaller the world gets.   I can't go anywhere without tripping over reminders of the past.

I spent Friday night at a meet at URI. I went to watch NA alumni Leah Seward (Brown) and TyLynn Graham (URI) and check in with Caitlin Hurley (URI) who's currently on the mend. I also got to see Kristy Fuller, Shelby Greenfield, Jackie Oates and Katy Brague. At least they weren't giving me the same nightmares I suffered when my team was running against them.   I can't say the same for Courtney Lincoln, who was visiting URI that night. She did her part as Mansfield beat us the following day.

That wasn't the only place where Hock athletes were in action. Abbie Frederick was competing at Tufts for Colby, and matched up in hurdles against Franklin grad Kirsten Davis. Tiffany Badger competed for the first time for Worcester State in both shot put and the 20# weight. I heard about the latter while coaching at the State Relays. Her dad was there to watch brother Brett and the call about her results came through just after I talked to him.

Unfortunately, I had an athlete pass out on a warm-up run today. Who was the first adult on the spot – Ms. Badger (herself an NA track alumnus)? For those athletes who I sent home early – Sarah is doing great. All she wanted to ask me was if she could still run Saturday! I'm sure she was heartened by all the runners who stopped by Sturdy to check on her.

This Saturday will provide some great match-ups. Oliver Ames has looked strong all season and King Philip is riding high after their great performances at the relays. North has an opportunity to come home with a piece of the Hockomock Championship, but there are two great teams standing in the way.

On Sunday I'll be making my first trip to the McIntyre Elite Relays. This meet usually doesn't fit into the schedule. This year it does, and 10 NA athletes will be making the trip to the Reggie Lewis Center. Expect to hear good things about the shuttle dash, 4X200M and shuttle hurdles.

In between the two I'll be attending the Boston Indoor Games. I'll be meeting up with Matt. Two of the athletes of interest I'll be watching are GT graduate Chris Lukesic and Jesse O'Connell (another GT grad who was Matt's sidekick in chasingtradition.com).

Yes, I have a life beyond track - but not this weekend!

And PS. I'm not as cold as I look in the picture.